Information about Hornet
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This article refers collectively to all true hornets. For the common "hornet" of Europe (also introduced in the Americas) see European Hornet. For the large insect known colloquially in the United States as a "hornet" see Bald-faced hornet or Cicada killer wasp. Also see Australian hornet, and Hornet (disambiguation).
Hornets are the largest eusocial wasps, reaching up to 45 millimetres (1.8 inches) in length. The true hornets make up the genus Vespa, and are distinguished from other vespines by the width of the vertex (part of the head behind the eyes), which is proportionally larger in Vespa; and by the anteriorly rounded gasters (the section of the abdomen behind the wasp waist). See wasp and bee characteristics to help identify an insect.
Geographical distribution
The genus Vespa comprises about 20 species, most of which are native to tropical Asia, but there is a species found across temperate Eurasia from Britain to Japan, the European hornet (V. crabro), and another, Oriental hornet (V. orientalis), that extends via southern and central Asia to the Arabian peninsula, up to northern and eastern Africa and the Mediterranean basin (including southern Italy and Sicily). Another occurs in temperate eastern Asia, Yellow hornet (V. simillima), and some tropical species also range as far north as China, Siberia, or Japan. The Asian giant hornet (V. mandarinia) is a native of temperate and tropical Asia. The European hornet V. crabro, has been accidentally introduced to North America and is present in many eastern regions.Life cycle
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The structure of the nest
As the colony size grows, new combs are added, and an envelope is built around the cell layers, until the nest is entirely covered, with the exception of an entry hole. At the peak of its population the colony can reach a size of 700 workers. This occurs in late summer.
At this time the queen starts producing the first reproductive individuals. Fertilized eggs develop into females (called "gynes" by entomologists), unfertilized ones into males (sometimes called "drones"). Adult males do not participate in nest maintenance, foraging, or caretaking of the larvae. In early to mid-autumn they leave the nest and mate during "nuptial flights". Males die shortly after mating. The workers and queens survive at most until mid to late autumn; only the fertilized queens survive over winter.
Other temperate species (e.g. the yellow hornet V. simillima or the Oriental hornet V. orientalis) have similar cycles. In the case of tropical species (e.g., V. tropica), life histories may well differ; and in species with both tropical and temperate distributions (such as the Asian giant hornet Vespa mandarinia), it is conceivable that the cycle depends on latitude.
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Ritualistic fighting of European hornets over more than 15 minutes - no injuries
Worker tasks
The workers accomplish a variety of tasks during the colony's lifetime. These include:- Foraging. Workers feed mainly on carbohydrate-rich fluids such as tree sap. They also hunt other insects, primarily flies but also other species including smaller wasps and bees; they have been known to attack dragonflies. After subduing the prey, the hornet may discard all nutrient-poor parts such as the wings, legs, head, and/or abdomen. This leaves only the thorax with the protein-rich flight muscles, which constitutes the main food of the larvae. On hot days, workers will bring water to the nest and deposit it on the envelope, thus cooling the interior.
- Expanding and rearranging the nest. This includes building new combs and new cells.
- Feeding the larvae. On returning back to the nest, masticated prey flesh is fed to the larvae, which have higher protein needs (for growth) than the workers, since they no longer grow. The larvae, in turn, produce a nutrient fluid, rich in amino acids, which is consumed by the adults, especially the queen.
Stings
A Hornet's sting is painful to humans, but the sting toxicity varies greatly by hornet species. Some deliver just a typical insect sting, while others are among the most venomous known insects[1]. Allergic reactions, fatal in severe cases, can occur.- European hornet sting
- in itself is not fatal except sometimes to allergic victims.[1]
- multiple stings (several hundred) may be fatal due to the amount of venom (similar to wasps and bees).
- is similar to a wasp's.
- is less toxic than a bee sting.
- Non-European hornet sting
- in itself is not fatal except sometimes to allergic victims.[1]
- multiple stings (a nest full) can be fatal due to highly toxic species-specific additions in the venom[4].
- is more toxic than a wasp's or bee's sting
- Vespa mandarinia japonica is the most venomous known insect (per sting)[1].
- All hornet stings
- are an allergen for people with an allergy to wasp venom - they can suffer anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal unless treated within a few minutes in a hospital.
- those allergic to wasp stings are not necessarily allergic to bee stings as the poisons are different.
- contains less volume of venom than a bee sting.
- are primarily for killing insect prey.
- are not evolved to sting vertebrates / mammals - in contrast with a bee sting which is used for defending the nest against vertebrates/mammals (from taking honey).
- are slightly more painful than a typical wasp's due to a large amount - 5% - of acetylcholine [6]. See Schmidt Sting Pain Index [7].
Alarm escalation
Hornets, like many social wasps, can mobilize the entire nest to sting in defense: this is highly dangerous to humans. The hornet alarm pheromone is used to raise alarm of nest attack, and to identify prey, for example bees [8]. It is not advisable to kill a hornet anywhere near a nest, as the distress signal can trigger the entire nest to attack. Materials that come in contact with pheromone, such as clothes, skin, dead prey or hornets, must be removed from the vicinity of the hornets nest. Perfumes, and other volatile chemicals can be falsely identified as pheromone by the hornets and trigger attack.Actions to avoid
- Disturbing a nest (including vibrations and loud noises)
- Being within a few meters of a nest
- Disturbing or killing a hornet within a few meters of a nest
- Blocking the path of a hornet
- Breathing on the nest or hornet
- Rapid air movements
- Never pour gasoline or petroleum down a nest hole. This is extremely hazardous and environmentally unsound.
Prey
Hornets and yellowjackets prey on many insects that are considered to be pests, so are actually beneficial. They do also prey on bees, but unlike honey bees, hornet and yellowjacket colonies die out every winter.Hornets and other Vespidae
While taxonomically well-defined, there may be some ambiguity about the differences between hornets and other wasps of the family Vespidae, specifically the yellowjackets, which are members of the same subfamily. Yellowjackets are generally smaller than hornets and are bright yellow and black, whereas hornets may be darker in color - see wasp and bee characteristics.
Another major difference between yellowjackets and hornets are their food choices and aggression towards humans. In the fall, yellowjackets may be attracted to human foods and food wastes, increasing potentially aggressive contact between yellowjackets and humans. Hornets, on the other hand, tend to stick to live insects.
Some other large wasps are sometimes referred to as hornets, most notably the bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) found in North America. It is set apart by its black and ivory coloration. The name "hornet" is used for this and related species primarily because of their habit of making aerial nests (similar to the true hornets) rather than subterranean nests. Another example is the Australian hornet (Abispa ephippium), which is actually a species of potter wasp.Species
- V. aethale
- V. affinis
- V. analis
- V. auraria
- V. basalis
- V. bellicosa
- V. bicincta
- V. bicolor
- V. bilineata
- V. binhami
- V. bipustulata
- V. capitata
- V. cayana
- V. chrysoptera
- V. chrysopteraarmata
- V. communis
- V. condigna
- V. conifera
- V. consimilis
- V. consobrina
- V. cordifera
- V. crabro
- V. crabroniformis
- V. crassipes
- V. cribriformis
- V. curvipes
- V. daedalea
- V. dentata
- V. diadema
- V. distincta
- V. ducalis
- V. dybowskii
- V. erythrycephala
- V. exotica
- V. ferruginata
- V. ferruginea
- V. fervida
- V. flavitarsus
- V. florisequa
- V. fluva
- V. fulvipes
- V. fumida
- V. fusus
- V. geniculata
- V. guttata
- V. hirsutissima
- V. horticola
- V. intersecta
- V. italica
- V. ligata
- V. longicornis
- V. luctuosa
- V. macrocephala
- V. magnifica
- V. mandarinia
- V. menstrua
- V. minima
- V. minuta
- V. mocsaryana
- V. mucronata
- V. multimaculata
- V. nigra Statz
- V. nigra Geoffroy
- V. ochropygos
- V. ochrosticta
- V. ocreata
- V. ordinata
- V. orientalis
- V. pacicephala
- V. petiolata
- V. philippinensis
- V. picipes
- V. pilosella
- V. pteropoda
- V. quadripunctata
- V. quinquefasciata Muller
- V. quinquefasciata Schrank
- V. scutellata
- V. sericea
- V. sessilis
- V. sexmaculata
- V. sexpustulata
- V. simillima
- V. sinuata
- V. soror
- V. sphaerogaster
- V. taenia
- V. tahitensis
- V. tenebricosa
- V. tesserazonia
- V. trizonata
- V. tropica
- V. unicolor
- V. usta
- V. velox
- V. velutina
- V. vivax
- V. xanthoptera
Notable species
- Asian giant hornet Vespa mandarinia
- Vespa mandarinia japonica (sometimes known as Japanese giant hornet) - the largest wasp, and the most venomous known insect (per sting)[1].
- Black-bellied hornet Vespa basalis
- European hornet Vespa crabro, (sometimes known as Giant Hornet, Old World Hornet, or Brown Hornet).
- Greater banded hornet Vespa tropica
- Japanese hornet Vespa xanthoptera (sometimes known as Japanese yellow hornet).
- Lesser banded hornet Vespa affinis
- Oriental hornet Vespa orientalis
- Yellow hornet Vespa simillima
- Yellow-legged hornet Vespa velutina
- Vespa luctuosa the most lethal wasp venom (per volume)[1].
See also
- Australian hornet
- Bald-faced hornet
- Bee-eater, predator
- Characteristics of common wasps and bees
- German wasp
- Hymenoepimecis argyraphaga
- Median wasp
- Paper wasp
- Pollen wasp
- Potter wasp
- Vespid
- Yellowjacket
Notes
1. ^ J.O. Schmidt, S. Yamane, M. Matsuura, C.K. Starr (1986). "Hornet venoms: lethalities and lethal capacities.". Toxicon 24 (9): 950-4.
2. ^ J.O. Schmidt, S. Yamane, M. Matsuura, C.K. Starr (1986). "Hornet venoms: lethalities and lethal capacities.". Toxicon 24 (9): 950-4.
3. ^ J.O. Schmidt, S. Yamane, M. Matsuura, C.K. Starr (1986). "Hornet venoms: lethalities and lethal capacities.". Toxicon 24 (9): 950-4.
4. ^ P. Barss (1989). "Renal failure and death after multiple stings in Papua New Guinea. Ecology, prevention and management of attacks by vespid wasps". Med J Aust. 151 (11-12): 659-63.
5. ^ J.O. Schmidt, S. Yamane, M. Matsuura, C.K. Starr (1986). "Hornet venoms: lethalities and lethal capacities.". Toxicon 24 (9): 950-4.
6. ^ K. D. Bhoola, J. D. Calle, and M. Schachter (1961). "Identification of acetylcholine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, histamine, and a new kinin in hornet venom (V. crabro)". J Physiol. 159 (1): 167–182.
7. ^ Stung - How tiny little insects get us to do exactly as they wish.
8. ^ Volatile fragrance chemicals may attract unwanted attention from hornets and bees.
9. ^ J.O. Schmidt, S. Yamane, M. Matsuura, C.K. Starr (1986). "Hornet venoms: lethalities and lethal capacities.". Toxicon 24 (9): 950-4.
10. ^ J.O. Schmidt, S. Yamane, M. Matsuura, C.K. Starr (1986). "Hornet venoms: lethalities and lethal capacities.". Toxicon 24 (9): 950-4.
External links
- European hornet protection site (in English, also available in French, German, Russian, Spanish and Swedish)
This is not an image, but rather a PDF file. - Paper Wasps and Hornets
- Hornetboy's homepage
- Controlling Wasps, Hornets, and Yellowjackets
- Hornets & Yellowjackets
- Yellowjackets and Other Social Wasps
V. crabro
Binomial name
Vespa crabro
Linnaeus, 1761- For main article see hornet.
..... Click the link for more information.V. crabro
Binomial name
Vespa crabro
Linnaeus, 1761- For main article see hornet.
..... Click the link for more information.Scientific classification or biological classification is a method by which biologists group and categorize species of organisms. Scientific classification also can be called scientific taxonomy, but should be distinguished from folk taxonomy, which lacks scientific basis.
..... Click the link for more information.Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled until (UTC) due to vandalism.
If you are prevented from editing this page, and you wish to make a change, please discuss changes on the talk page, request unprotection, log in, or
..... Click the link for more information.Arthropoda
Latreille, 1829
Subphyla and Classes- Subphylum Trilobitomorpha
- Trilobita - trilobites (extinct)
- Subphylum Chelicerata
..... Click the link for more information.Insecta
Linnaeus, 1758
Orders
Subclass Apterygota- * Archaeognatha (bristletails)
- * Thysanura (silverfish)
- * Infraclass Paleoptera (Probably paraphyletic)
..... Click the link for more information.Hymenoptera
Linnaeus, 1758
Suborders
Apocrita
Symphyta
Hymenoptera is one of the larger orders of insects, comprising the sawflies, wasps, bees, and ants.
..... Click the link for more information.Apocrita
Superfamilies- Aculeata
- Superfamily Apoidea
- Superfamily Chrysidoidea
- Superfamily Vespoidea
- Parasitica
..... Click the link for more information.Vespidae
Subfamilies
Eumeninae: potter wasps
Euparagiinae
Masarinae: pollen wasps
Polistinae: paper wasps
Stenogastrinae
Vespinae: yellowjackets, hornets
The Vespidae
..... Click the link for more information.Vespinae
Genera
Dolichovespula
Provespa
Vespa
Vespula
The subfamily Vespinae contains the largest and most well-known eusocial wasps, including true hornets (the genus Vespa
..... Click the link for more information.Carolus Linnaeus (Carl von Linné)
Carl von Linné, Alexander Roslin, 1775. Currently owned by and hanging at the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
..... Click the link for more information.species is one of the basic units of biological classification. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
..... Click the link for more information.V. crabro
Binomial name
Vespa crabro
Linnaeus, 1761- For main article see hornet.
..... Click the link for more information.Motto
"In God We Trust" (since 1956)
"E Pluribus Unum" ("From Many, One"; Latin, traditional)
Anthem
..... Click the link for more information.D. maculata
Binomial name
Dolichovespula maculata
(Linnaeus, 1763)
Dolichovespula maculata is a North American insect which, despite commonly being called the bald-faced hornet
..... Click the link for more information.Sphecius
Species: S. speciosus
Binomial name
Sphecius speciosus
Drury, (1773)
Cicada killer wasps
..... Click the link for more information.A. ephippium
Binomial name
Abispa ephippium
(Fabricius, 1775)
The Australian hornet (Abispa ephippium, also known as the potter wasp or mason wasp
..... Click the link for more information.A hornet is an insect, see hornet (notable species European hornet, Asian giant hornet). It may also mean:
Insects:- a colloquial term for an American wasp Bald-faced hornet or White-faced hornet and Cicada killer wasp.
..... Click the link for more information.Eusociality is the phenomenon of reproductive specialization found in some animals. It generally involves the production of sterile members of the species, which carry out specialized tasks, effectively caring for the reproductive members.
..... Click the link for more information.wasp is any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is not a bee or ant. The suborder Symphyta includes the sawflies and wood wasps, which differ from members of Apocrita by having a broader connection between the mesosoma and metasoma.
..... Click the link for more information.1 millimetre =The millimetre (American spelling: millimeter, symbol mm
SI units
010−3 m 0 cm
US customary / Imperial units
010−3 ft 010−3 in
..... Click the link for more information.wasp is any insect of the order Hymenoptera and suborder Apocrita that is not a bee or ant. The suborder Symphyta includes the sawflies and wood wasps, which differ from members of Apocrita by having a broader connection between the mesosoma and metasoma.
..... Click the link for more information.In arthropod and vertebrate anatomy, the vertex (or cranial vertex) refers to the upper surface of the head.
In humans, the vertex is formed by four bones of the skull: the frontal bone, the two parietal bones, and the occipital bone.
..... Click the link for more information.Gaster is a surname which may refer to:- Moses Gaster, Romanian-British linguist
- Theodor Gaster, son of Moses
..... Click the link for more information.To comply with Wikipedia's this section of the article needs a complete rewrite.
Please discuss this issue on the talk page and read the layout guide to make sure the section will be inclusive of all essential details. This article has been tagged since September 2007.
..... Click the link for more information.While easily confused at a distance or without close observation, there are many different characteristics of bees and wasps which can be used to identify them.
Bees Wasps (Family: Vespidae)
..... Click the link for more information.species is one of the basic units of biological classification. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring.
..... Click the link for more information.Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent. It covers 8.6% of the Earth's total surface area (or 29.4% of its land area) and, with almost 4 billion people, it contains more than 60% of the world's current human population.
..... Click the link for more information.temperate latitudes of the globe lie between the tropics and the polar circles. The changes in these regions between summer and winter are generally mild, rather than extreme hot or cold. However, a temperate climate can have very unpredictable weather.
..... Click the link for more information.Eurasia is an immense landmass covering about 53,990,000 km² (or about 10.6%) of the Earth's surface. Often reckoned as a single continent, Eurasia comprises the traditional continents of Europe and Asia, concepts which date back to classical antiquity and the borders for which are
..... Click the link for more information.
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